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I was on Love Island. After the MAFS scandal, I know what TV companies must do to keep contestants safe | Sharon Gaffka

The Guardian UK Saturday 23 May 2026, 07:00 UTC By Sharon Gaffka 1 min read

The Married at First Sight rape allegations have again highlighted the ethics of reality TV. For things to change, better welfare provision is crucial

When I joined the cast of Love Island in 2021, I already semi-knew that reality TV wasn’t “real”. I grew up with parents who constantly reminded me not to believe everything I saw on TV or online. But I was not fully prepared for just how constructed reality TV actually is: producers shape narratives, conflict drives engagement and contestants ultimately become part of a product designed for entertainment, rather than simply living their “reality” in the moment.

After watching the BBC Panorama investigation into Channel 4’s Married at First Sight, I found myself asking a much bigger question: at what point does “good TV” come at the expense of basic human safety?

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Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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